Safety stop for automobile hoists



March 14, 1939. J MlZER SAFE'IY STOP FOR AUTOMOBILE HOISTS Filed Aug. 15, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l a m. r j Z W WM 0 m 1 my .ll. .4 L. Q I MY 1 mw NJ N RI] W \N mm J mm N MN N NML mbfi & KN. g u k T m m \m.

March 14, 1939. J, J. MIZER SAFETY STOP FOR AUTOMOBILE HOISTS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 InJen'lEr J. J. MIZER 2,150,628

TY STOP FOR AUTOMOBILE HOISTS March 14, 1939.

SAFE

Filed Aug. 13, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY STOP FOR AUTOMOBILE HOISTS Joseph J. Mlzer, Racine, Wis., assignor to Walker Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wia, a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 13, 1938, Serial No. 224,688

14 Claims. (Cl. 254-89) This invention relates to certain new and use- Another object is to provide means whereby ful improvements in safety stop mechanism for the shut-ofl bars are independently movable to automobile hoists, and more particularly to mechoperate the stop mechanism.

anism for automatically stopping the hoisting Other objects and advantages of this invenmechanism and lifting carriage in the event that 'tion will be more apparent from the following a car-door has been left open so that it might detailed description of one approved form of apbe damaged or broken away by engagement with paratus constructed and operating according to a portion of the fixed supporting framework of the principles of this invention.

the hoist. In the accompanying drawings:

in This improvement is especially designed for use Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hoist with an with an automobile hoist of the general type disautomobile positioned therein, before the carclosed in the patent to Walker 1,958,026, granted riage and automobile are elevated.

May 8, 1934. This type of hoist comprises a plu- Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of rality of fixed uprights or posts (usually four) the upper left-hand corner of the hoist assembly,

positioned about a clear space into which the taken substantially as indicated by the line 2-2 15 automobile may be driven over a lifting carriage of Fig. 1. which is guided for vertical movement between Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substan- I the uprights. The uprights comprise a portion tially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. of the supporting frame-work which carries the Fig l is an enlarged detail view of the upper 29 mechanism for raising and. lowering the carriage, right-hand corner of the hoist assembly looking all of this lifting mechanism being mounted outwardly, that is in a direction away from the either in or adjacent the uprights, and .at the motor mechanism. top of the frame outside of the vertical path of Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially travel of the automobile so that when the caron the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

riage and automobile is elevated, the space be- Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially 25 tween the uprights and beneath the car will be on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4. entirely clear. The pairs of uprights at eachside The hoist comprises the fixed framework A in of the car or automobile are connected at their which is guided the carriage B which lifts the upper ends by longitudinally extending, substanautomobile C, the hoisting mechanism for raisr-o tially horizontal, frame members which are out ing and lowering the carriage being indicated side of the normal path of vertical travel of the generally at D. The improved safety stop which car. However, if a car door should be acciis the particular subject matter of the present dentally left open, it might be damaged by enapplication is indicated generally at E. gagement with one of these side frame members, The hoist frame A in the form here shown by and the same would be true if any other object way of example, comprises the four similar up- 35 on the car or carriage were left projecting far rights or posts I, 2, 3 and 4, positioned outside of enough to one side to engage with one of the the corners of the clear space into which the frame members. automobile C is driven. The uprights I and 2 According to the present invention, longitudiat one side of the frame are connected at their nally extending bars are movably supported by upper ends by the longitudinally extending side the side frame members so as to be engaged by frame member 5, here shown in the form of a the open door, or other laterally projecting memtubular pipe section. A similar upper side frame her, and the movement of either of these bars member 6 connects the uprights 3 and 4 at the acts, through suitable connections, to stop the other side of the frame.

hoisting mechanism, usually by opening a switch The carriage 13 comprises similar end cross 45 in the circuit which supplies power to the driving members I and 8, guided at their ends by the motor. frame uprights, and connected by a pair of lon- The principal object of this invention is to pro- 'gitudinally extending beams 9 which engage bevide. an improved safety stop mechanism of the neath the car, between the wheels, in order to type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed raise and lower the car. The end cross-beams I 50 more in detail in the specifications which follow. and 8 are preferably provided with depressed Another object is to provide means for tempoportions or ramps In to facilitate driving the rarily swinging the shut-off bars to an inopercar into or out of position over the carriage. ative position so that an unusually wide car or Preferably the upper portion of the frame and light truck can be elevated by the hoist. hoisting mechanism is sufficiently elevated to 55 permit the car to be driven in at one end of the frame and out at the other. Alternatively as is usual in hoists of this type, the end members I and 8 may be connected by runways onto which the wheels II of the automobile are driven, in which case the central beams 9 would be omitted.

The hoisting mechanism D comprises four lifting cables I2, I3, I4 and I5 which extend upwardly from the four corners of carriage B adjacent the four uprights I, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The cables I2 and I5 extend up to and are coiled on two similar drums I6 mounted on the ends of a shaft I! supported at the upper ends of uprights I and 4. Only one of the drums I6 is shown in Fig. 1. The other pair of cables I3 and I d extend upwardly over direction sheaves I8 and I9 supported at the upper ends of uprights 2 and 3, respectively, and then extend to and are coiled on the respective drums I6. The mechanism indicated generally at 20 and including the electric motor 2 I is supported at the upper end of upright I and serves to rotate transverse shaft I I and drums I6 so as to raise or lower the carriage B. The detailed construction of this driving mechanism and the controls therefor are not here shown in detail but one approved form of such mechanism is disclosed in the Walker patent hereinabove referred to. As far as the present invention is concerned,'any approved means may be utilized for raising and lowering the carriage. It will be apparent that the principal function of the upper side frame members 5 and 6 is to brace apart the uprights against the pull of the longitudinally extending lifting cables I3 and I4.

It will be understood that in the normal operaare spaced apart sufliciently to provide ample clearance for this movement. However, if a car door were accidentally left open (as indicated, for example at 22 in Fig. 1) this door would engage beneath the side frame member 5 and would be at the lower ends of matically stopping the hoisting mechanism in case a door is accidentally left open in position to engage one of the side frame members 5 or 6.

pair of similar longitudinally extending shut-off bars 23, one of which extends substantially parallel to and is movably supported by each of the side frame members 5 and 6. These assemblies at the two sides of the frame are substantially identical (except for the features hereinafter specifically noted) and a description of one will suffice for both. The bar 23 is supported a plurality of spaced apart arms 24, each of which has a circular collar 25 at its upper end pivoted on the tubular member 5 or 6. These collars may be slid into position on the frame member from one end thereof. At one end of the frame (preferably the far or motorsupporting end, as shown in Fig. 1) a stop bracket arm 26 is provided which projects inwardly and downwardly, the lower retractible end portion 21 of this stop bracket supporting one end of the shut-oil bar 23 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 6). The stop bracket arm 26 is conveniently fixed in position by providing a laterally extending ear 28 held in place by one of the frame bolts 29. It will be noted that the rotatable supporting collar 25 of arm 24 at this end of the assembly is held in place between the collar 30 of stop arm 26, and a two-part clamp collar 3| secured about the side frame 5 or 6, thus holding the shut-off bar assembly against longitudinal movement on the frame member. It will now be observed that each shutoff bar 23 is normally supported in a position 3, a snap-switch 32 is provided in the energizing circuit for motor 2i. The pull-rod 33 which op erates this switch is normally held to the right (Figs. 2 and 3) by spring 36, adjusted by nuts 35,

tion of the snap-switch has been completed.

Referring now to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, a crank arm tion 38, 39. It will now be apparent that when shutofi bar 23 at the far side of the hoist (Fig. 1) is swung upwardly and inwardly, it will,

connections.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 6, it will be noted that the main portion of stopof hollow tubular form,

limit the downward sliding movement of rod 21 when in its normal position, as shown in Fig or carriage limited by, stop-projections 54 ing a motor for raising o apart uprights gimme 2 and 6. 'lhe rod portion ,fl may be pushed up wardly into tube 20, as shown in dotted lines, (Fig. 6) its movement in this direction being on the lower end dotted lines (Fi 6). somewhat greater width, for example, alight truck, to be elevated by the hoist. Obviously, while the shut-off bars are thus temporarily released, the open-door stop mechanism will be inoperative.

While this improved is designed particularly to prevent damage to car doors accidentally left open, it will be apparent that the same safety mechanism will be operated by any other substantially rigid object on the car which may happen to project laterally outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the car,

It will be understood that the two shut-off bars 23 might be hooked together so as to be simultaneously movable and connected to the switch by a single yieldable pull-connection, such as 50, 5|, but the connections as hereinabove disclosed are preferable, as the effort is reduced by requiring movement of only one of the bars to open the switch.

I claim:

1. In combination with an comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of'theautomobile, means carried by the frame and comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, means movably carried by the respective side-members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and mechanism operated by the movement of the last-mentioned means for operating the switch to stop the motor.

2. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame and comprisand loweringthe carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, means pivotally carried by the respective side-members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and mechanism operated by the movement of the last-mentioned means for operating the switch to stop the motor.

3. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective'pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and motor-operated means carried by automobile hoist safety stop mechanism the frame for raising and lowering the carriage. shut-off bars extending substantially parallel to the respective side members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means for pivotally supporting one of the shut-off bars from each of the side members, and mechanism operated by the movement of the bars for stopping the motor-operated means.

4. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal .path of vertical travel ofthe automobile, means carried by the frame comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-oi! bars movably carried by and extending substantially parallel to the respective side members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and mechanical connections between thev bars and switch operated by the movement of the bars for operating the switch to stop the motor.

5. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-0E bars movably carried by and extending substantially parallel to the respective side members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and mechanical connections between the bars and switch operated by the movement of the bars for operating the switch to stop the motor, said connections including an extensible spring for permitting additional movement of the bars after the switch has been operated.

6. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-oft bars movably carried by and extending substan-.

comprising two pairs of spaced guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting the upper portions 01' the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-oil bars movably carried by and extending substantially parallel to the respective side members and positioned to be engaged and moved by an object on the carriage projecting laterally outside the normal path of vertical travel 01' the automobile, and separate connections between each bar and the switch so that movement of either bar will perate the switch to stop the motor, each of these connections comprising an extensible spring.

8. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame and comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-off bars extending substantially parallel to the respective side-members, a plurality of arms pivotally supporting each bar for swinging movement about its respective side member, a stop-arm fixed to each side member and projecting inwardly and downwardly to engage beneath and normally support the adjacent bar in position to be engaged and swung upwardly by an object on the carriage projecting outwardly beyond the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and connections between each bar and the switch whereby the upward swinging movement of either bar will operate the switch to stop the motor.

9. In combination with an automobile .hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame and comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and a switch for stopping the motor, shut-ofl' bars extending substantially parallel to the respective side-members, a plurality of arms pivotally supporting each bar for swinging movement about its respective side member, a stop-arm fixed to each side member and projecting inwardly and downwardly to engage beneath and normally support the adjacent bar in position to be engaged and swung upwardly by an object on the carriage projecting outwardly beyond the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and connections between each bar and the switch whereby the upward swinging movement of either bar will operate the switch to stop the motor, each of said connections comprising an extensible spring permitting additional movement of the bar after the switch has been operated.

10. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting upper means carried by the frame and comprising a motor for raising and lowering the carriage, and shut-oi! bars I by the upward swinging movement of either bar stop the motor.

path of vertical travel of the automobile, a crank-arm projecting from one end portion of each shut-oil bar assembly and crank-arm to the switch to stop the motor when either shut-off bar is swung upwardly, each of said connections comprising an extensible spring.

13. In combination with an automobile hoist means whereby of either bar will stop the vertical movement of the carriage.

comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, a frame apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting upper portions of the respective pairs of uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame for raising and lowering the carriage, shut-oil bars extending substantially' parallel to the respective side-members, a plurality of arms pivotally supporting each bar for swinging-movement about its respective side member, a stoparm fixed to each side member and projecting inwardly and downwardly to engage beneath and normally support the adjacent bar inposition to be engaged and swung upwardly by an object onthe carriage projecting outwardly beyond the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, and connections between each bar and the raising and lowering the upward swinging movement 14. In combination with an automobile hoist comprising a carriage for supporting the automobile, airame comprising two pairs of spaced comprising two pairs of spaced apart uprights between which the carriage is guided, and longitudinally extending side members connecting upper portions of the respective pairs 01 uprights adjacent to but outside of the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, means carried by the frame for raisingand lowering the carriage, shut-oil bars extending substantially parallel to the respective side-members, a plurality of arms pivotally supporting each bar for swinging movement about its respective side member, a stop-arm fixed to each side member and projecting inwardly and downwardly to engage beneath and-normally support the adjacent bar in position to be engaged and swung upwardly by an object on the carriage projecting outwardly beyond the normal path of vertical travel of the automobile, the outer portion of each stop-arm being retractible to permit the shut-ofl bar to swing downwardly to a position beneath the side member, and connections between each bar and the raising and lowering means whereby the upward swinging movement of either bar will stop the-vertical movement of the carriage.

JOSEPH J. MIZER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,1 50 628 JOSEPH J. l'lIZER.

Harch'lir, 19 9.

Itis'hereby certified that error appears .in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

column, line 1 .9, for the word "on" Page 2, second read one; and second column, line 51;, for "aspects" read respects; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of April, A.D. 195 9- (Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

